Download Micro-Expressions

Micro-Expressions
Micro-expressions
• are very brief facial expressions, lasting only a
fraction of a second. They occur when a person
either deliberately or unconsciously conceals a
feeling. Seven emotions have universal signals:
anger, fear, sadness, disgust, contempt, surprise
and happiness.
The 7 Universal Micro-expressions
Anger
Disgust
Fear
Happiness
Sadness
Surprise
7: Contempt
Micro-expressions
• Paul Elkman created the Facial Action Coding
System (FACS), which is a common standard to
systematically categorize the physical expression
of emotions, and it has proven useful to
psychologists and to animators.
• Elkman believed that facial expressions are
universal rather than culturally determined
Ekman’s extended list of Micro-Expressions
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Amusement
Contempt
Embarrassment
Excitement
Guilt
Pride
Relief
Satisfaction
Pleasure
Shame
Facial Communication
• Facial expressions are a universal language
▫ These 7 Micro-expressions are used, universally
▫ Those who are blind from birth also use these
micro-expressions, even though they have never
seen them being used!
• The Face communicates our most basic emotions
▫ Serves us well in our ability to survive (When we
are in need of help, our sadness or fear will show
through to others as a signal for our need)
Facial Communication cont.
• The face is involuntarily triggered by emotionintense situations
▫ Facial expressions are connected to our Automatic
Neuro-System (ANS), so when we feel an intense
emotion, our feeling will involuntarily leak
through our face
▫ This tendency can be consciously controlled to a
certain degree (poker players, con-artists), but
even the best of liars have been caught giving their
true feelings away though Micro-expressions and
body language.
Why does this matter to me?!
• When presenting, your facial expressions give
away A LOT about you.
• Whether consciously or subconsciously, your
audience is garnering a majority of your message
from your non-verbal communication, and
Micro-expressions are one form of non-verbal
expression that we use
• Are your Micro-expressions congruent with what
you are verbally saying?
Congruent vs. Incongruent